Latest news from the Parish of Goring by Sea.
Christmas and New Year Edition December 2020
Parish Office. Email: [email protected] Tel: 01903 709163
The publication of Goring Parish News (GPN) has paused while we review our means of communication across the parish. We will in the New Year be asking for your thoughts and ideas. So this week’s Newsletter is a bumper Christmas edition and includes the articles received this quarter for GPN.
We have just tracked back and the first of these newsletters was sent out on the 20th March with the intention of keeping as many people as possible in touch and up to date with what was going on in the Parish. We never thought at the time that we would still be doing this in December. We hope you have found the newsletters helpful and informative. It was always our intention that it should be a way for everybody to keep in touch. During the first Lockdown we had some beautiful prayers, poems and pictures so please keep those coming in in 2021. We don’t know the future of the newsletter but we will be continuing for a while and be reviewing it as part of our the overall review of our communications in the Parish and beyond.
There will not be a newsletter next week but we will begin again the week after Epiphany.
Please can we take this opportunity to thank all of you who have given us and the clergy so much support this year. It really is appreciated.
Pastoral visits
As always please let Fr. Keith , Fr. Neill or the Wardens know if you have a personal pastoral concern or may know of someone in need.
God Bless,
Gill, Janice, Ruth and Geoff.
Services until 7.1.21
Please register for all church services at the Parish Office. Face coverings should be worn in church at all services. The restrictions for Tier 2 reinforce the need for everyone (unless you have a duty i.e. sanitising the church or putting away equipment) to leave our churches as quickly as possible.
However remember you can enjoy conversations and fellowship outside or away from the church building.
NB there will be one service this Sunday. 27h. December, a Eucharist – Common Worship 09.00 Sunday 27th. December. Said Eucharist – 1st. Sunday of Christmas. St Mary’s Church (nb CW) 09.00 Sunday. 3rd. January. Said Eucharist – 2nd. Sunday of Christmas. St Mary’s Church. (nb CW)
11.00 Sunday. 3rd January. All Age Worship – Epiphany Service. St Mary’s Church. (no Eucharist) (Also live streamed via Facebook)
(NB this services returns to 11.00 am to allow sufficient time for sanitising and preparation between services)
10.00 Thursday. 31st December ’20 and 7th. January ‘21. Said Eucharist. St Laurence’s Church (CW)
Online services
20.00 Compline / Night Prayer. Tuesdays and Fridays.
25th and 29th December ’20. 1st and 5th January ‘21
Streamed on https://www.facebook.com/StMaryAndStLaurenceGoringBySea/
10.00 Morning Prayer will be said via Zoom on Wednesdays
30th December ’20 and 6th January ’21.
https://www.zoom.us Meeting ID: 955 2642 8233 Password: 386017
Note from the Editor: It is fitting that we begin this extended version of the newsletter with the last article Christopher Campling submitted for GPN. I was wondering why Christopher chose this for a Christmas edition of Christian Breadcrumbs. Then I read John 1 v 1-5 … and understood, perhaps.
Christian Breadcrumbs by The Very Reverend C.R. Campling, Dean Emeritus of Ripon
The Big Bang and Evolution: Religion and Science
Complementary NOT contradictory
When someone asks the question, “Who made God?” there is no satisfactory answer to give, because the question arises from a false understanding. It assumes that God is limited to the dimension of time, stuck with a past, present and future as we are. But God is eternal, outside our line of time. So there is no ‘before’ or ‘after’ with God. There is just God, always there, everywhere, in eternal, uncreated splendour.
But although God is outside time, the universe has been created in a way that events are separated from one another – by time. Along the line of time that we experience, it is inevitable that there should be change, development, growth and adaption. This is true of individual things (including human beings), species, and the world as a whole. So there is no reason to disbelieve in the scientific theory of evolution. What is obviously true in our day by day, year by year experience is believed to be true also of the universe itself. Sometimes scientists have posited a theory of ‘continuous creation’ rather than a ‘beginning’, then development. But it seems that today most scientists believe in a once-upon-a-time, ‘big bang’ beginning and then a process of evolution over a very long period of time, governed by chance and the survival of the fittest.
We can take note humbly of what they tell us, remembering that their ideas are always developing as by further research they go on learning. Also they believe, without being able to prove it, that the ‘laws of nature’ which they seek to discover are consistent, even though there is this important element of ‘chance’ both in the behaviour of atoms and in the process of evolution.
The truth is that science and religion are complementary, not contradictory. They are concerned with different aspects of life: scientists with material facts which can be observed, weighed and measured; religious people with the meaning of life, the purpose of living, and those spiritual, non-material, eternal values such as beauty and goodness. Human beings experience both the physical and the spiritual.
One may say, “Here is a material object, it has a certain size and weight and its construction can be analysed accurately. It is subject to the laws of physics and chemistry and it is possible to say how it will react to certain physical pressures.” This is science.
One can also say, “Here is a human person who is also subject to the physical laws of nature. But there is something more. This person is self-aware and conscious of the world outside; able to discern differences and to judge what is good and what is evil. He or she becomes aware of spiritual qualities such as beauty, joy and love and, subject to certain limitations, has the freedom to act and to be creative. He or she can behave well or badly, guided by conscience; and can learn to recognize God’s guidance and respond by offering love and worship.” If the person does so, that is religion. Religion does not contradict physical facts; but it can enhance them.
Goring Parish Social Circle
Thursday 28th January 2021 - 7.15pm
The start of a New Year and hopefully a more joyful one than 2020 has been. We thought that in this meeting it would be lovely to hear all the stories about how 2020 went for each of us, how we managed to stay in touch with loved ones , family and friends.
Thursday 25th February 2021 – 7.15pm
This meeting will be our usual yearly AGM, whereby new Committee members are selected and our Charity is voted on. As this year we have been unable to do any funding raising for Harvey Gang or SOS Children Village, it might be an idea to keep the same ones for year 2021. Wine and Cheese / nibbles will hopefully be served.
Please note these events will only take place if the Government guidelines and regulations allow.
Celebrating Cycling in SUSSEX BY THE SEA during Lockdown – Calendar available now
Allan Plumpton, a disabled member of our parish, a life-long keen touring cyclist until 2015 when he became physically disabled by a severe stroke, 3-times the annual sketchbook competition-winner at Downland Art Society, has teamed up with CPO to produce an attractive A4 wall calendar for 2021 of places he and his wife, Pat, cycled through along the Sussex coastline whilst on holiday in 1959
[including Goring-by-Sea].
Each picture is accompanied by a short geographical/historic description. The clear Sun-Sat annexed monthly calendar, which hangs below each picture, has public holidays noted, plus space for personal notes. At the foot is a short Biblical ‘thought for the month.
Order by 31.12 2020 to receive in mid-January. Enquiries by email to [email protected] or phone 01903 505880 9am to 6pm only. A sample calendar will be on display in the porch at St Mary’s shortly.
Priced £6 each. Post paid to UK addresses only [by Royal Mail 2nd class post]. Only a small number are left now as over 100 have already been sold elsewhere, so don’t delay!
Our support here from our two churches means we have been a part of CA as it has grown and supported people in different situations. Here are some snippets from the archives over the years.
Our history
With the help of our incredible supporters and partners, we have achieved so much in 75 years. Our groundbreaking work began in 1945, when British and Irish churches founded us to help refugees following the Second World War founded us. For more than 75 years, we have provided humanitarian relief and long-term development support for poor communities worldwide, while highlighting suffering, tackling injustice and championing people’s rights.
1940s
We helped refugees in need at the end of the Second World War. We raised more than £80,000 (£3 million plus in today’s money) for emergency supplies in mainland Europe. We supported, equipped and enabled partner churches there to meet the needs of their people.
1950s
We launched Christian Aid Week to raise extra funds. We continued helping refugees in mainland Europe as well as those from Palestine, Korea and China. We supported the establishment of the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) to enable young people to make a difference, and offered help to churches in countries moving from colonialism to independence to meet the needs of poor people.
1960s
We made a difference in crises affecting Nigeria/Biafra, Kenya and India. We created the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) so that development agencies were seen to work together in times of humanitarian crisis. We helped set the World Development Movement to encourage political campaigning. We addressed racism and poverty in the United States as well as advising Martin Luther King while he was in the UK.”
The story continues and there will be some more snippets next time. Meanwhile thank you for all your support.
Julie & Russell Marlow & Di and David Burt.
Box opening result
A big thank you to all who have supported the Children’s Society through their home boxes which were opened recently. The total received including Gift Aid is £985.76. A great encouragement to the children and families the Society helps.
National Christingle Service.
In partnership with the Church of England the first online Christingle service was streamed on the Sunday 13th December at 9am. This should still be available on the Church of England’s website, Facebook and YouTube channels. The service included a few words from HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, the Archbishop of Canterbury who lit the Advent
Candle, as well as our Vice-Chair of Trustees, the Bishop of Derby Libby Lane. There was a special performance from award winning number one soprano Joanna Forest, while young people lit the Christingles. For further details go to childrenssociety.org.uk
Once again we are so grateful for your continuing support of
The Society.
Di & David Burt 01903248204
Parish Mission Focus – October to December 2020
On Saturday 17 October, a very successful lunch was held in St Mary’s Church Hall. A total of 24 people enjoyed a soup and ploughman’s lunch and were also able to watch two short films showing the work of the charity, one received only a few days beforehand, updating us on how the children are taught routines in
hand washing, wearing masks and distancing when visiting the Support Centre. Many thanks for the wonderful generosity of those who donated – we hope to be able to send at least £800 to South Africa in the next couple of weeks.
Janet Aniss
World Day of Prayer
The annual World Day of Prayer open to everyone will in 2021 be held at St. Mary’s at 10.30 and 14.30 Friday the 5th March. The service focusing on Vanuatu will last no more than an hour. All are welcome but booking will be required.
Alison Evans
Nature Watch. Dec/Jan/Feb 20/21
As autumn set in toadstools suddenly appeared. I don’t know what these were but they made an exotic display in the garden! A common darter dragonfly made a late arrival towards the end of September. These do come regularly in late summer.
It is difficult to identify between a chiffchaff and a willow warbler
because they are so similar particularly at a distance. This chiffwillow
made a final show before flying off to its wintering quarters in Africa.
We have been fascinated by a mint moth, which has lived on our
herb pot, which, of course, contains mint! It is so small that it is
difficult to see. No bigger than a finger nail. It flies both during the
day and at night. We saw a caterpillar but again it was so tiny it
was hard to find. This is the best shot we got. Lovely markings
This season always gives us that very colourful
member of the crow family, the jay. They like to bury
their cache of acorns in the garden ready for later in the
winter.
Finally a rather rare but welcome visitor to the feeder was
this great spotted woodpecker. I have seen them in the
Plantation and heard them drumming too.
God Bless and happy feeding. Keep safe.
David Burt [email protected]
Childhood Memories
Long ago in those halcyon days
When we children played freely in woodland glades,
Gathering bluebells, threading daisy chains,
Running barefoot through flowery fields,
Damming the stream and climbing trees
Or searching for conkers or the first wild rose.
Pleasures were simple, treats were few.
I remember the thrill of a trip to the sea,
Building sandcastles and shrimping for tea.
Of picnics with nanny and walks down the lane
To buy sticky sweets from Mrs. McBane’s.
Toasting bread for tea by an open fire
And listening to Grandmother many an hour
Whilst she told us stories of her childhood days.
Monday morning smell of soda and soap,
The washing and wringing and pegging out.
Helping Mother to shell garden peas,
Watching the steamroller tarring the road
And the friendly coalman delivers his load.
Winter windows, frosted panes,
The romantic sound of old steam trains.
I remember Christmas as a very special Day
With family and friends and games to play.
Evergreen Tree with candlelight
Paperchains and holly bright.
Carol singers at the door, heralding the birth of the Holy Child Hanging of stockings the night before
Wondering what Santa would have in store.
I will always cherish my childhood days,
The memory of them will never fade.
Valerie Tree
And finally …
The Family Baker
With any family business the “well bread” baker has to realise that, to avoid the “bread line” he is the “bread winner”, know which side his “bread is buttered” and when producing his “baker’s dozen” he can’t have his “cake and eat it”. He can’t afford to “loaf about” as he “kneads the dough”.
One of the busiest parts of his day is “sandwiched” between the hours of 5 a.m. and 8.30 a.m. The production line is transferred to the shop where his wife and family will open the doors to paying customers at 9 a.m.
I think we should “toast” the “Family Baker” for his hard work. Perhaps this will provide a few “crumbs of comfort”.
Christmas Calories (noun)
Tiny creatures that live in your closet and sew your clothes a little tighter every night!
The Twelve Days of Christmas
I have often wondered how I would manage if my wife Valerie actually gave me all the gifts mentioned in the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.
I suppose I would manage the first five ─ a partridge, two doves, three French hens and four calling birds would be happy in the garden so long as I fed them, and the five gold rings would be most acceptable.
It starts to go downhill after that, not to mention the fact that Christmas can be a stressful and energy sapping time.
So, I’ve got six geese laying eggs all over the house and garden, seven swans trying to swim in a very small fish pond and where on earth am I going to house eight cows and maids?
Then there are nine ladies preparing for “Strictly Come Dancing” and ten Lord Coes practising for the Olympics!!
The situation has been fairly quiet up to now, so eleven pipers and twelve drummers will no doubt spark off complaints from the neighbours resulting in hurried negotiations with the noise abatement people.
My true love (Valerie) and I wish you a happy and quiet twelve days of Christmas.
Bill Tree
Giving this Christmas
We recognise that this has been a very difficult time for many of us and some of our parishioner have experienced great hardship. As a church our resources have been very stretched and we have lost a significant income from the closure of our halls. If you are able to, please consider making a Christmas gift to the work and mission of the church and the upkeep of our buildings and grounds.
You can give in one of the following ways
1. Making a donation directly to our bank account by BACS
Account name: Goring Parochial Church Council
Bank Code: 20 98 74
Account Number: 40025496
Reference. Please use the reference: Cashcoll
2. By cheque made out to: Goring Parochial Church Council and sent to the Parish Office. 16, Ilex Way, Goring by Sea, Worthing, BN12 4UZ.
3. Or by using the following QR code
Donations You can donate direct to the Parish of Goring by Sea and our
various fund-raising events by using this QR code.
Parish Giving Scheme
Please consider becoming a regular giver and joining our Parish Giving Scheme.
Tel: 0333 002 1260 to set this up.
For further details contact Ian Hill our Parish Giving Officer will happily talk with you about this 07711 696641